On July 17th, Dingxi city in Gansu province became the epicenter of innovation and knowledge-sharing for China’s potato industry. A specialized training event on the green prevention and control of potato late blight and seed potato quality control was held, drawing experts, leaders, and grassroots potato growers from across the region.
The event, organized by the International Potato Center (CIP) Asia Pacific Center in collaboration with local agricultural institutions, aimed to address one of potato growers’ most pressing challenges: managing late blight. This destructive disease can wreak havoc on potato crops, threatening farmers’ livelihoods and food supply stability. The training was a proactive step towards equipping growers with the tools and knowledge needed to combat this threat in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
Participants from diverse regions, including Beijing, Shandong, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia, and representatives from 17 counties and districts in Gansu province, gathered to learn from leading experts in the field. The training was not all lectures and presentations—it was a hands-on experience that brought participants to the fields where innovative solutions are being tested and implemented.
One of the event’s highlights was the visit to Wuzhu Town in Weiyuan County, where attendees were introduced to a cutting-edge digital monitoring and early warning system for potato late blight. This game-changer system offers real-time data that enables farmers to take timely and precise action to protect their crops. The visit included demonstrations of comprehensive prevention and control experiments, potato variety display trials, pesticide comparison tests, and even drones for plant protection spraying. It demonstrated how technology and traditional farming practices can be harmonized for better results.
Key figures such as Liu Weihong, head of the Gansu Provincial Plant Protection and Inspection Station, and Zhang Peng, associate professor at Northwest A&F University, were present, underscoring the importance of this initiative. Their involvement, alongside local government leaders like Lei Lixin, deputy secretary of the county party committee, highlighted the commitment to fostering a robust potato industry in the region.
The training was led by Dr. Zhao Zhonghua, a CCCAP consultant and former director of the National Agricultural Technology Promotion Center. The discussions were rich with insights, ranging from the European Union’s stringent quality control system for seed potatoes to innovative green cultivation techniques. Experts delved into the theoretical and practical aspects of monitoring and controlling potato late blight, emphasizing the role of new digital tools and bio-pesticides in creating a sustainable agricultural future.
One of the most significant outcomes of the training was the introduction of the ambitious “Implementation Plan for Prevention and Control of Potato Late Blight” for Gansu Province. This plan sets a high target: ensuring that at least 56% of the potato-growing areas in each district and county are engaged in green prevention practices. This is not just about meeting a target but about creating a culture of proactive, informed, and sustainable farming practices that can withstand climate change and disease pressures.
The plan’s focus on using legally registered biopesticides and a robust early warning system reflects a shift towards more eco-friendly agricultural practices. It also highlights the importance of data—collecting, analyzing, and using it to guide decisions that will ensure the long-term health and productivity of potato crops in the region.
CIP CCAP Deputy Director Xie Jianmin, in his summary of the training, emphasized the need to continue building on these foundations. The construction of a comprehensive late blight monitoring and early warning network, coupled with ongoing training and awareness programs, will be Empowering Potato Growers in Northwest China: A Step Forward in Green Prevention and Quality Control.
